Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Palm Bay Police Officer, Elderly Man Injured In Crash

Palm Bay spokesperson Yvonne Martinez said in an email that the officer was traveling southbound on U.S. 1
after clearing a call just
before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to multiple witnesses, the driver
of a burgundy-colored 2010 Honda Accord attempted to turn on to Port
Malabar Boulevard from northbound U.S. Highway 1 where he failed to yield the
right of way and the officer could not avoid hitting the vehicle.

The
driver of the Honda Accord is identified as 86-year-old Festin Socrates. He is being cited with careless driving and failure to
yield right-of-way. Martinez added that the officer is in good condition at the hospital
and will be treated and released. Mr. Socrates is in stable condition
with non-life threatening injuries. Both vehicles were totaled.